SIERRA WILDLIFE RESCUE rehabilitator Judy Monestier, 70, of Fairplay releases a juvenile red-shouldered hawk on Aug. 20 after treating the bird for an often fatal trichomoniasis infection. The hawk was found seemingly injured and walking around behind the Mountain Democrat offices on July 24. "Once he was on the right meds he came back real fast," said Monestier, who has been a volunteer with Sierra Wildlife Rescue for 9 years. Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum

VULTURES converge on a ranch gate along Highway 49 in Logtown. Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum

CARLY BRAY hugs best friend Taima Wilson, both 17, after returning home from the hospital. Bray was hit by a car, severing her right leg below the knee Mar. 1. Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum

MICHAEL CULBERTSON, 25, removes trash from around his tents where he lives in a wooded area within the city of Placerville on June 20. Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum

VIEWING THE VENUS TRANSIT with binoculars and a protective filter, Chuck Adelman, 65, of Sacramento joined visitors at the Cameron Park Rotary Community Observatory in Placerville. The next Venus transit will take place in the year 2117. Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum

LEXI BOEGER works on a wine label redesign in her yarn art studio at Boeger Winery. Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum